Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in captive giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Abstract

IntroductionToxoplasma gondii, a globally zoonotic protozoan parasite, infects most warm-blooded animals including the giant panda, and poses a serious threat to the giant panda conservation. However, the seroprevalence and the risk factors for toxoplasmosis in giant pandas are unknown. Here we aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the captive population of giant pandas and analyze the factors associated with the increased risk of infection.MethodsA total of 203 serum samples were collected from 157 (95 females and 62 males) captive giant pandas from 2007 to 2022, antibodies against T. gondii were screened using commercial ELISA and MAT kits.ResultsThe results showed 56 (35.67%) giant pandas were seropositive, age and transfer history between institutions were identifified as risk factors for T. gondii infection. It is suggested that age-related seroprevalence was the main factor, and housing multiple species in the same environment may increase the chance of cross-infection of T. gondii.DiscussionThis study can provide research data for developing policies for the prevention and control of T. gondii and protecting the health of captive giant pandas and other wildlife.

Evaluation of the Inactivation Efficacy of Four Disinfectants for Feline Parvovirus Derived from Giant Panda

“…The giant panda, originating from China, is listed as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2021). Giant pandas face many threats, such as viral infection, environmental damage [ 6 ], parasitic infection [ 7 , 8 ] and toxic compounds [ 9 ]. There is evidence showing that an expanding habitat increases the possibility of cross-species transmission of viral pathogens, such as canine distemper virus (CDV) [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], canine coronavirus (CCV), canine parvovirus (CPV) [ 10 , 13 ], canine adenovirus (CAV) and H1N1 influenza A virus [ 14 ].…”